Close on the heels of the second death due linked to the West Nile virus, Baltimore County officials have announced plans to spray areas of Catonsville on Wednesday evening to reduce mosquitos that carry the virus.
Weather permitting, the Maryland Department of Agriculture will conduct mosquito sprayings with the insecticide permethrin in Catonsville after 7:30 p.m. on Wednesday, Sept. 19.
Officials recommend that residents in the affected area to stay indoors during spraying to minimize direct contact with the insecticide.
Mosquitoes can carry a number of diseases, including the West Nile virus, according to officials. In humans, the West Nile virus generally causes either no symptoms or a mild flu-like illness, but can also be fatal, officials said.
At least 25 cases of West Nile virus infection have been reported in 13 Maryland counties this year, according to health officials.
State health officials suggest these tips to reduce the risk of infection by West Nile virus:
1. Limit time spent outdoors between dusk and dawn
2. Wear long-sleeved shirts and long pants when going outdoors
3. Use an EPA-registered insect repellent and follow the instructions on the product label. Repellents containing DEET are safe for use by adults and children when used according to package directions
4. Check that all window screens in your home or business are intact and do not contain holes. Repair any damaged screens
5. Remove all discarded tires from your property. If tire removal is not possible, puncture or cut tires to prevent water from collecting in them
6. Dispose of tin cans, plastic containers, ceramic pots, or similar water-holding containers
7. Make sure roof gutters drain properly. Clean clogged gutters in the spring and fall
8. Drain water from pool covers
9. Change the water in birdbaths at least once a week
10. Turn over plastic wading pools and wheelbarrows when not in use
11. Eliminate any standing water that collects on your property
12. Remind or help neighbors to eliminate breeding sites on their property
13. Check for trapped water in plastic or canvas tarps covering boats, pools, etc. Arrange the tarp to allow water to drain
14. Pump out bilges in boats. Store canoes and small boats upside down
15. Remove outdoor pet food and water dishes that are not being used
16. Flush livestock water troughs twice a week
17. Do not leave garbage can lids upside down. Do not let water collect in the bottom of garbage cans or recycle bins
18. Check ornamental ponds, tree holes, and water-holding low areas for mosquito larvae
According to its Material Safety Data Sheet (www.cdms.net/ldat/mp7GD012.pdf), permethrin is relatively safe for casual exposure. If you're a worker who is spraying the stuff, or work with it on a daily basis, masks are advised. Once it is sprayed, permethrin doesn't stay airborne forever. The mist settles on surfaces and doesn't remain in the air, so if you're indoors during spraying it shouldn't bother you much.
That being said, you are absolutely correct that personal risk is still very small, and even those who do get it will either (a) never know, as they will not exhibit any symptoms at all or (b) have mild (unconfirmed) flu-like illnesses that go away pretty quickly on their own such as what seems to be going around with the people we know through our school, etc. but it won't be reported to the CDC as a confirmed case because it was, in fact, never confirmed through antibody detection, etc.
True, the risk is small, but still scary as our 9-year-old has immune system problems and the mosquitoes seem to be everywhere this year!
http://diseasemaps.usgs.gov/wnv_md_human.html
The same people who unquestioningly get their flu shots in the fall, even though the symptoms from the shot may be worse than the illness itself or the shot may be ineffective against the strain of the flu virulent that season. Why would .gov care if you get the "WNV"?
There is NO proof that the spraying out of state has reduced mosquite borne illness. Also don't you think our "experts" should have recognized there was a "mosquito problem" before it got out of control. They have an investment in making the public believe they are doing something about the problem but it is a quick fix!
It's just another way for Big Bro' to put the fear of God into everyone and control the masses. "Stay indoors you peons, away from those nasty mosquitoes and that carcinogenic spray, while you and your children get obese. Behave yourselves, watching Dancing with the Stars, playing with your iPads and complaining about NFL officials."
Bird flu, SARS etc all were to be huge killers and panic sets in when more die yearly of the common flu and no one seems to be afraid of getting the flu.
Sadly though, things have reached a point where the next thing we may request to opt out of could be surveillance by drone aircraft.
Also numbers9dream -you should send your comments to the Balt. Sun as a op-ed.